A Bond is a when a third party promises to be financially responsible for the defendant to show up in court at a later date when ordered.

Bonds are referred to as either 'property bonds' or 'surety bonds'.

A 'property bond' is a guarantee by a third party to put up some form of property (real estate, jewels, stocks) as collateral that they agree to forfeit if the defendant does not show up for their scheduled court date.

A 'surety bond' is defined as a guarantee by a third party – typically a bail bondsman – that a defendant will appear in court on their scheduled appearance.

Bail can be posted seven days a week, 24 hours a day, at Orange County Jail - Theo Lacy Facility or during operating hours at the Orange County Court in Orange, California where the bail hearing occurred.

If you are using the service of a private bail bondsman, they are typically available 24 hours a day and will let you know the process and time involved in posting the bond and arranging the defendant's release.

Go here to confirm where to post bail in this county or call 714-935-6940

To confirm your inmate is approved for bail, you have an idea of the bail amount and fees and that a cashier is available to process the paperwork, call 714-935-6940 before arriving.

Because Orange County and California can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the jail or the court directly after an arrestee has been booked. Go directly to the Orange County Jail and Court pages here to find the phone number you need for this information.

Ask the jail or court representative these specific questions:

Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?

How much will the bail or bond be?

Where do I go to pay it?

Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?

What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?

To pay a cash bond, go to Orange County Jail - Theo Lacy Facility or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.

Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to Orange County Jail - Theo Lacy Facility where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Orange County Sheriff's Office or to the Orange County Court.

Option 2

How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at Orange County Jail - Theo Lacy Facility

In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.

This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.

For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.

A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.

Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.

Option 3

How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Orange County Jail - Theo Lacy Facility

If you are a landowner in Orange County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Orange County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.

To find if property located outside of Orange County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.

As long as all the necessary documentation and identification are provided, the bail paperwork should take no more than 15 to 30 Minutes. Once the bail is processed it may take 2 to 10 hours for the defendant to be released from Orange County Jail - Theo Lacy Facility. It is common for larger jails to have longer processing times.

Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, Orange County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.